Ski sail apparatus

ABSTRACT

A sail apparatus to be utilized by an individual wearing skis comprising sail means with means for affixing said sail means to said skis and control means for the control of said sail means.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The apparatus of this invention resides in the area of recreationalequipment and more particularly relates to a ski sail apparatus.

Sail means have been incorporated in a wide range of recreationalequipment. Besides the familiar sail means on recreational boats andcanoes, sail means have been adapted for placement on iceboats whichsail at high speeds upon frozen lakes. Ice skaters have also usedhandheld sails for propulsion. In water skiing one may fly a largekite-like structure behind him as he is towed by a boat. When the boatreaches a particular speed, the water skier sill be lifted off the waterand be held aloft in the air by the action of the kite in the wind.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to combine wind-powered movement withboth regular and cross-country skiing.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a device which islightweight and maneuverable by the individual user.

It is yet an additional object of this invention to provide an apparatuswhich can be installed on an individual's skis to accomplishski-sailing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the apparatus of this inventioninstalled on a pair of skis.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view through a ball-joint affixedto the top of a ski.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a skier utilizing the device ofthis invention installed on a pair of skis 10 having a standard ski shoebinding 12 thereon. Positioned on the front quarter of the skis are themembers of the apparatus of this invention described below. The exactpositioning of these members can be performed after the skis arepurchased as the positioning can best be determined in conjunction withthe weight and height of the individual who will be using the ski sailapparatus. Affixed to each ski is ball joint member 14. These ball jointmembers 14, described in further detail below, allow for a cross plate16 to be affixed operatively thereto upon which the sail apparatusrests, which structure will be described in additional detail below. Thewidth of cross plate 16 can be in the vicinity of 17 inches and also canbe adjustable by utilizing sliding members. The exact width can best bedetermined by the skier utilizing the ski sail apparatus. Centrallypositioned in the top portion of cross plate 16 is socket member 18which is adapted for receipt of sail mast 20. The outer structure ofeach ball joint member 14 can be cast of aluminum or equivalentlight-weight metal or strong plastic adapted to be affixed to the ski.Such affixation can be by means of retainer flanges 22 on either endthereof and the flanges will hold ball joint member 14 to the topsurface of the skis by screw members affixing each flange to a ski or byequivalent means of attachment. It should be noted that cross-countryskis can be as narrow as 2 inches so that it is envisioned that theapproximate width of the ball joint members will be 2 inches.

Seen in further detail in FIG. 2, which is a cross section through oneof ball joint members 14, is ball socket 24 which is round and adaptedto enclose snugly ball member 26 which is adapted to rotate freelytherein. Ball member 26 has an aperture 28 defined therein adapted toreceive threaded rod 30. This rod protrudes out of the top of the ballsocket 24 through narrow opening 32 which opens into joint well 34. Ithas been found advantageous to have a grease-type lubricant 35 orequivalent around ball member 26 within ball socket 24 to assist in easymovement thereof. Rubber boot 36 acts as a grease seal for retaining thelubricant 36 within the ball socket. In addition, one can have means foradding additional grease. If desired additional grease can be enteredthrough grease line 38 which terminates in grease fitting 40. It shouldbe noted that the threaded rod can be rotated within the perimeter ofthe top of the joint well 34 easily in the structure described. It hasbeen found advantageous in relieving pressure placed by the threaded rodagainst the upper edges of the joint well to insert a ring 44 thereinmade of steel or equivalent hard material to prevent wear on the castingand to maintain close tolerances in the movement to and fro of threadedrod 30. Threaded rod 30 extends upwards to a threaded portion having anut 46 thereon and a first smaller washer 48 and a larger washer 50. Rod30 is then passed through an aperture defined in cross plate 16 and asecond larger washer 52 is affixed over the top of the threaded rod anda second nut 54 is tightened over that larger washer so that the crossplate member is securely affixed to the threaded rod and can move withinthe range of movement allowed threaded rod 30. Nut 52 and 46 can beadapted so as not to hold cross plate 16 too snugly so as not to hinderplay thereof. In a similar fashion the other ball joint member isaffixed onto the other ski and to cross plate 16. At a central point oncross plate 16 is socket member 18 which is affixed thereto and canextend in a collar fashion approximately 4 inches thereabove. Intosocket member 18 is rotatably affixed mast 20 of the sail elementdescribed below. The sail element consists of a mast 20 which mast canbe constructed of aluminum, magnesium, a combination thereof, or anyequivalent lightweight strong material which can withstand the pressuresto be normally place thereon. Mast 20 is adapted to first extendapproximately 6 feet to a cross mast 22 which is affixed thereto byU-brackets or equivalent means of affixation. These mast structures canbe constructed in tubular form having a bored core to make them lighterbut yet still retain proper strength. For example, if mast 20 is 1 inchin diameter, then a 1/4 inch diameter core can be utilized. Cross mast22 extends approximately 5 feet on both sides of mast 20. Mast 20extends further upwards approximately 6 feet where it bifurcates intotwo corner support masts 56 and 60. These corner support masts extendfrom angles from mast 20 to the upper corners of sail member 62 and areaffixed thereto by standard means of affixation such as bolts or othermeans. Cable member 64 extends between the ends of the corner supportmasts 56 and 58 and further down on either side of the sail member tothe ends of cross mast 22. Sail 62 can be in one piece or can becomposed of Dacron, a trademark, or equivalent lightweight material, andhave side portions 66 along each side thereof, when the sail is bowedoutward by wind, whose ends conform to the bowed out element of said 62when wind blows therein, and the other end of side portions 66 beingaffixed to the cable member 64 on either side of sail 62. Affixed at aportion of mast 20 above its affixation to the socket 18 and below crossmast 56 at a point best determined in reference to the height of theindividual utilizing the ski sail is a torsion bar 68 which can becomposed of a strong metal or equivalent material and affixed to mast 20by welding, U-bolts or equivalent means of affixation, having aplurality of apertures 70 defined on either side thereof into which areaffixed control rods 72. Each rod 72 extends to a hydraulic shockabsorber 74 or equivalent to assist in cushioning and dampening theforward movement of control rods 72. Torsion rod 68 is adapted to reduceinstantaneous forward movements of the mast caused by wind by causingthat movement to be absorbed within shock absorbers 74. Shock absorbers74 include means of interconnection by rods 75 extending to leg bandmember 76 constructed of fiberglass or equivalent adapted in size to fitaround each calf of the individual utilizing the apparatus. Leg band 76can have interconnected therewith a back portion 80 being constructed offiberglass or equivalent with padding on the inside which extends downalong on the outer side of the calf and terminates in strap member 82 ofapproximately 4 inches in width located at the base of the calfapproximately 4 inches above the ankle. Strap member 82 along with theback portion 80 assists in absorbing the shock of movement forward ofthe torsion rods 68. For additional support one can have eye member 84affixed at the base of the 4 inch strap member 82. Extending from eyemember 84 is cable 86 which runs to second eye member 88 affixed to theupper surface of ski 10 behind ski boot brackets 12 to help provideadditional stability. In use one would first slide band 76 and itsassociated padding and straps 80 and 82 onto one's legs and then stepinto the ski boot bracket 12. Lift strap 21 can be affixed to mast 20 toassist in raising the mast from a forwardly inclined position where itwould be at rest to an operative position. Torsion bar 68 is adjustablefor control rods 72 to be inserted into preselected apertures 76depending upon the amount of pressure and strength of the wind that onefeels he will encounter in using the device which determines into whichof apertures 70 one will insert the hooks of control rods 72.

The piston within the cylinder of hydraulic shock absorber 74 can bereleased by the user opening valve 79 or equivalent which releases fluidtherefrom into a reservoir tank 79 allowing sail mast 20 to move forwardto reduce the apparatus' effective speed. The fluid can be returned tothe shock absorber 74 when desired by the user raising sail mast 20 bypulling back on mast loop 21 thereby forcing fluid from the reserve tankback into the cylinder of shock absorber 74.

Although the present invention has been described with reference toparticular embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the artthat variations and modifications can be substituted therefor withoutdeparting from the principles and spirit of the invention.

I claim:
 1. A sail apparatus to be utilized with snow skiscomprising:sail means; means for affixing said sail means to said skis;control means for the control of said sail means; wherein said sailmeans include:a sail member; a mast member upon which said sail memberis mounted; pivot means for affixing said sail means to said skis, saidpivot means affixed to each of said skis; a cross member attached tosaid pivot means; a mast receipt member affixed to said cross member;wherein said control means include:a torsion bar affixed to said mast;attachment means to interconnect the skier to said torsion bar; andwherein said attachment means include a rod member adapted to beinterconnected to said torsion bar; leg members adapted to be affixed tothe skier's calves; and shock absorbing means interposed between andinterconnected with said rod member and said leg members.
 2. A sailapparatus to be utilized with a pair of snow skis comprising:a pair ofball joint members each affixed to one of said skis, each of said balljoint members having defined therein a ball socket aperture; a pair ofball members, each positioned within the ball socket aperture of a balljoint member, each of said ball members having a threaded aperturedefined therein; a joint well defined within the top of each of saidball joint members and having an aperture opening into the top of saidball socket aperture; a pair of threaded rods, each adapted to beinserted into a said joint well and through said aperture at the top ofsaid ball socket aperture and screwed into the threaded aperture definedin said ball member; a hard ring member positioned around the top ofsaid joint well adapted to limit the movement of said threaded rod andprevent wear of said joint well; a cross plate member having aperturesdefined at each end thereof, each adapted to receive a threaded rodextending from each of said ball joint members; a first nut memberpositioned upon each of said threaded rods below said cross platemember; a first washer positioned upon each of said threaded rods belowsaid cross plate member; a second washer positioned upon each of saidthreaded rods above said cross plate member; a second nut member affixedto each of said threaded rods above said cross plate member; a mastsocket member centrally affixed to said cross plate member; a sail mastadapted to be inserted into said socket member; a sail member; a crossmast affixed to said sail mast; a corner support mast comprised of twomembers bifurcating from a point of interconnection with said sail mastadapted to support said sail member; a cable member extending from saidcross mast to the corners of said bifurcated corner support masts and tothe opposite end of said cross mast; a torsion control bar having aplurality of apertures defined therein, said bar being affixed to saidsail mast; a pair of rod members adapted to be interconnected into aselected of said apertures in said torsion control bar; an hydrauliccylinder cushioning means affixed to each of said rod members; and bandmeans adapted to affix around the calves of the individual using theapparatus of this invention including means for affixation of saidhydraulic cylinder cushioning means to said band means, said band meansincluding a downwardly extending portion and a lower strap memberadapted to be affixed around the lower portion of the leg of said user,a first eye member positioned upon said lower strap member, a second eyemember affixed to said ski member at a position behind the user; and acable member affixing said first eye member to said second eye member.